Methods for the preparation of synthetic polymers

ABSTRACT

A method for the homopolymerization of conjugated diene hydrocarbons or for the copolymerization of different dienes either with one another or with styrene-type monomers in order to prepare polymers or copolymers having a pre-set molecular weight, which comprises carrying out the homopolymerization or copolymerization of said hydrocarbons in the presence of an alkali metal catalyst, such as lithium, and a modifier obtained by reacting an alkali metal with a conjugated hydrocarbon and an organoaluminum compound, the alkali metal-to-aluminum molar ratio in said modifier being 1:1.

0 United States Patent 1151 3,664,989 Petrov et al. 1 May 23, 1972 [54] METHODS FOR THE PREPARATION OF [56] References Cited SYNTHETIC POLYMERS UNITED STATES PATENTS InventorsZ Gennady Nikollevich .Pelrov, Lesnoi 3,278,508 10/1966 Kahle et al ..260/94.3 pf p f 85; W9"! Fedomich 3,452,112 6/1969 Kamienski er a1 ...260/665 -gg z i s fj izi ig g {3 g- 3,464,961 9/1969 Foster ..260/83.7

v lull/.8] 1 nacheiskaya ulitsa, 4, kv. 39; Olga Mikhailovna Shibanova, v0 15 Linia 8/40, kv. f 21 an of Lcningrad USSR. Assistant Examiner-Richard A. Gaither Attorney-Waters, Roditi, Schwartz & Nissen [22] Filed: Oct. 27, 1969 21 Appl. No.: 869,935 ABSTRACT A method for the homopolymerization of conjugated diene Related Apphcauon hydrocarbons or for the copolymerization of different dienes 63 Continuation-inart of Ser. No. 575,552, Aug. 29, either with one another or with styrene-type monomers in l 1 P 1966, abandoned. order to prepare polymers or copolymers having a pre-set molecular weight, which comprises carrying out the [52] [LS-Cl ..260/82.1, 260/83], 260/941, homopolymerization or copolymerization of Said hydrocar 260/94'6' 260/879 bons in the presence of an alkali metal catalyst, such as lithi- [51 Int. Cl. ..C08d 3/04, CO8d 3/08 um, and a modifier obtaincd y reacting an alkali metal with a [58] Field of Search ..260/82.l, 83.7, conjugated hydrocarbon and an Organoaluminum compound.

the alkali metal-to-aluminum molar ratio in said modifier being 1:].

11 Claims, N0 Drawings ployment METHODS FOR THE PREPARATION OF SYNTHETIC POLYMERS REFERENCES initiators, even in the absence of modifiers, is not conducive to obtaining polymers having the desired molecular weight. Given hereinbelow is Table, in which are compiled relevant data derived from the examples recited in US. Pat. No.

Th: prescnt Application is a continuation-in-pafl of App. 5 3,278,508 (to Kahle et 8].). The tabulated data illustrate said cation S 57 5 5 5 2 fil d Aug 29 196 now abandoned defect of organolithium initiators and relate to reference tests, The present ihvcmioh relatcs to catalytic in which the polymerization process was effected in the homopolymerization of diene hydrocarbons with one another l 0f organolithium compounds alone ho addhhms or with copolymerizatioh f i hydrocarbons and Styrene l0 tended to diminish the intrinsic VlSCOSlty of target products type monomers in the presence of organometallic compounds belng used Table AS can be f h the as modifiers. characteristic viscosity of the polymers obtained varies from The resultant polymers may find extensive application as into 10-26 f E P F XI and althohgh the grcdicms f potting compounds plasticizers, em (low amount of the initiator, l thium methylnaphthalene, is conmolcculapwcight polymers with or without terminal f l5 stant,viz. 1.].moles of the initiator per l00gof monomer. tioha] f p in the f 'y and for manufacture of This irreproducibility of reference tests is due to the fact fncchamcal Tubb" g g moleculhr'wclghl p y h of that the catalytic system is highly sensitive to impurities, which lsoprehc and blhadlehey copolymcrs of lsoprehe butadlclw are capable of reacting with both the initiator and the with other diene hydrocarbons, and butadlene-styrene propagating polymer h i Th latter property plays a i ifi. copolymers). l f cant role in the process of preparing polymers with functional II 15 known p h the P limits 0 fhehc hydrocal" groups, since it affects the degree of functional group incorbons or copolymers of diene hydrocarbons w1th one another poration into the polymer or with styrene-type monomers by a process which comprises carrying out the homo-or copolymerization of said monomers rhethod of p y h hh lhVOh/mg the use of f in the presence of organolithium compounds as initiators and gahohthlum compounds as mltlators and Orgahometalhc f organometallic compounds having the gencral f l modifiers makes it possible to diminish the intrinsic viscosity of polymers, i.e., to regulate the molecular weight of Y MX polymers, as compared with the intrinsic viscosity of polymers l obtained in reference tests, in which the modifiers were wherein: dispensed with. However, in view of the fact that the or- Y d no h g an l y g p a hydrocarbon ganolithium initiator even alone is incapable of providing for radical; the reproducibility of the results TABLE 1 Tem- pera- Con- Examplo 'Itsl; Initi Solvent, parts by ture, version, number No. Monomer atm' weight C percent 11 6 lsopreno 2. 5 Cyclohoxnno, 1,000. 100 4. 2*.) 10 do.. 2.5 PLlltfllll, 1,()00...... 100 4.06 3 ..d0.. 1.1 .....do 100 9.30 3 ....do.. 1.1 .do 100 7.1 5 .do.. 1.1 d0 100 7.21 8 ....do.. 1.1 Pentane, 700... 100 6.65 4 .....do.. 1. Pentano, 1,000.. 100 7.66 4 ....-do.. 1. do 100 10. 26 3 Butndiene-L3. 1. Cyclohexano, 780.... 100 4.89 2 do 1.. do 100 2.98

l (Lithium methylnaphthalene), millimoles per 100 g. of monomer.

M is a metal of the groups B, Hi8 and IVB of the periodic system;

X atoms of hydrogene or halogene n is an integer ofO to 4, and

v denotes the valence ofthe metal M.

The employment of said organometallic compounds in the process of diene hydrocarbon polymerization initiated by organolithium compounds makes it possible to reduce the intrinsic viscosity of the resultant polymers without affecting markedly the microstructure of the polymers in question.

However this prior art process suffers from a number of disadvantages.

Polymerizations, according to said process, call for the emof organolithium compounds synthesized preliminarily by known procedures. Where use is made of an initiator consisting of a dior polylithium-containing organometallic compound, the synthesis should be conducted in a polar solvent medium, insofar as said initiators are insoluble in a hydrocarbon medium. To obtain under these conditions linear polymers or polymers having a high percentage of cisconfigurations, it is pertinent to substitute a hydrocarbon solvent for a polar one, which additional step makes the manufacturing process excessively complicated.

Moreover, organolithium compounds exhibit pronounced susceptibility towards various active admixtures and contaminants, so that the employment of organolithium compounds as of reference tests, the aforesaid combination of organolithium initiators and organometallic modifiers is hardly suitable for the preparation of polymers having prescribed molecular weights.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of preparing linear polymers of diene hydrocarbons or copolymers of different diene hydrocarbons with one another or with styrene-type monomers which will make it possible to obtain polymers or copolymers of any desired molecular weight.

It is another object of the present invention to provide linear polymers of diene hydrocarbons or copolymers of different diene hydrocarbons with one another or with styrene-type monomers having a prescribed molecular weight and containing terminal functional groups.

These and other objects are accomplished by carrying out the homopolymerization of conjugated diene hydrocarbons or the copolymerization of diene hydrocarbons with one another or with styrene-type monomers in the presence of an alkali metal as catalyst, the product of reacting an alkali metal with a diene hydrocarbon and with an organoaluminum compound being used as modifier.

The present method consists essentially in homopolymerizing said diene hydrocarbons or copolymerizing said diene hydrocarbons with one another or styrene-type monomers in the presence of an alkali metal as catalyst and also in the presence of a modifier consisting of a product of reacting an alkali metal with a diene hydrocarbon and an organoaluminum compound, the process of polymerization being carried out in the temperature range of from 30 to +1 50 C and the alkali metal-to-aluminum molar ratio in said modifier being l:l.

Where it is desired to obtain a polymer containing functional groups, the polymerization product should be treated with an appropriate reagent in order to incorporate the requisite functional groups.

The process of polymerization or copolymerization may be conducted either continuously or batch-wise.

Diene monomers may consist of conjugated diene hydrocarbons, such as butadiene-l,3, isoprene, pentadiene-l,3 (piperylene), 2,3-dimethylbutadiene-l,3, styrene, amethylstyrene, p-methylstyrene (p-vinyltoluene), etc.

Alkali metals, viz., lithium and sodium, are used as polymerization catalysts, the amount of the alkali metal catalyst taken exerting no effect on the molecular weight of the polymer obtained, but affecting the duration of the induction period. An excess of the alkali metal catalyst makes it possible to reduce substantially the induction period. When the present method is carried out batch-wise, excess alkali metal may be used again for subsequent polymerizations, while in the continuous embodiment of the present method the process is carried out until the catalyst is consumed completely.

The modifier used in the polymerization process for obtaining polymers having a pre-determined molecular weight consists of a product prepared by reacting a conjugated diene hydrocarbon with an alkali metal and an organoaluminum compound, the reaction being carried out in a hydrocarbon medium.

Use is made of organoaluminum compounds represented by the general formulas AlR AlR OR, AlR l-l, AlR Hal and AlR NR wherein R designates an alkyl or aryl radical.

The conjugated diene hydrocarbons used comprise such dienes as butadiene-l,3, isoprene, 2,3-dimethylbutadiene-1,3, etc. The reaction of diene hydrocarbons with an alkali metal and an organoaluminum compound is conducted at a temperature of 20l00 C in a saturated or aromatic hydrocarbon solvent medium or without solvents. To synthesize the modifier, the alkali metal-to-aluminum molar ratio should be at least 1:] when the organoaluminum compound used is AIR AIR OR or AlR NR In case the organoaluminum compound is of the formula AlR H or AlR l-lal, the alkali metal-toaluminum molar ratio should be not less than 2:1.

The product obtained by reacting a diene hydrocarbon with an alkali metal and an organoaluminum compound is an organometallic compound in the form of a white, crystalline powder which is scarcely soluble in hydrocarbons, so that the reaction product can be readily separated and washed to remove the excess of reactants and thereafter analyzed to determine the content of the alkali metal, aluminum and also the composition of hydrocarbon radicals.

In the modifier used for carrying out the present method, the alkali metal-to-aluminum molar ratio equals 1:1, and the modifier serves for controlling the molecular weight in the course of the process of polymerizing diene hydrocarbons or of copolymerizing different diene hydrocarbons with one another or with styrene-type monomers in the presence of an alkali metal catalyst. The requisite amount of the modifier is calculated on the basis of the pre-set molecular weight of the target polymer and also from the modifier analysis by using the following equation:

wherein:

M denotes the pre-set molecular weight of the target polymer;

m is the number of moles of the monomer;

r, is the number of Al moles in the modifier;

M is the monomer molecular weight, and

a=2, if the organoaluminum compound used for modifier preparation is represented by the formula AlR or when the polymers or copolymers to be synthesized have a molecular weight of not greater than 10,000. The modifier may be prepared and isolated in advance and introduced into the polymerization process as a finished product, or else it may be formed in situ, i.e., in the reaction medium prior to polymerization commencement.

In the latter instance, the amount of the alkali metal to be used in the polymerization process is determined by the amount of the organoaluminum compound used for modifier preparation. The alkali metal-to-aluminum molar ratio should be 1 when use is made of an organoaluminum compound of the AIR;, AIR OR, or AlR NR type, while for organoaluminum compounds of the AlR l-lal or AlRgH type this molar ratio should be 2.

The process of polymerization may be carried out in the presence of any amount of an alkali metal, provided the overall amount of the alkali metal contained in the modifier and used as the catalyst exceeds 1 mole per mole of the organoaluminum compound if use is made of AlR AlR OR or AIR NR for the synthesis of the modifier, or is more than 2 moles per mole of the organoaluminum compounds of the AlR Hal or AlR H type.

Appropriate reference tests have shown the modifiers to be incapable of causing the polymerization of diene hydrocarbons and styrene-type monomers in the absence of an alkali metal catalyst.

The process of polymerization is carried out in or without a hydrocarbon solvent medium. Use can be made of the following solvents: saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons, both straightand branched-chain (n-pentane, isopentane, hexane, heptane, octane, etc.), aromatic hydrocarbons (benzene, toluene, xylene), and also purified gasoline, the preferred solvents being aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons having from five to eight carbon atoms.

The process of polymerization is conducted at a temperature of from 30 to +1 50 C, preferably in the 0 to C range.

in order to prepare polymers that contain a,w-functional groups, the polymeryzate should be separated from excess catalyst and treated with appropriate reagents, such as olefin oxides, carbon dioxide, oxygen, sulfur, and epichlorohydrin. The employment of olefin oxides or oxygen results in the formation of polymers containing a,m-hydroxyi groups, while terminal carboxylic groups are introduced when use is made of carbon dioxide. The reaction with sulfur leads to terminal SH- groups, whereas epichlorohydrin makes it possible to obtain polymers having men-epoxy groups. The polymerization product should be treated with said reagents at a temperature of from 70 to C in or without an inert hydrocarbon solvent. It is preferable to treat a 30-50 percent solution of the polymerization product with said reagents.

To attain the exhaustive introduction of functional groups, it is expedient to treat polymerization products at a reagentto-aluminum molar ratio of at least 1:].

After completing the polymerization process or upon treating the polymerizate with the reagents in order to incorporate thereinto functional groups, the reaction mass that contains catalyst and modifier residues should be decomposed with water or alcohol, washed with aqueous acid or alkali and then with water, and thereafter dried The molecular weight of polymers prepared by the method of the invention corresponds to that calculated by means of the formula given on page 8.

EXAMPLE 1 In a flask fitted with a reflux condenser are placed 200 ml of isoprene, 12.8 ml (0.05 mole) of Al (iC I-l and 0.35 g (0.05 gram-atom) of lithium metal wire. The reaction mixture is refluxed for 8 hours. Towards the end of the reaction, the lithium dissolves completely, and after the removal of excess isoprene by distillation there is obtained a white, crystalline material which is sparingly soluble in isoprene and saturated hydrocarbons, more soluble in aromatic hydrocarbons, and readily soluble in ether.

The reaction product contains, as determined by the analysis, 2.82 weight percent Li and l 1.20 weight percent Al.

In a laboratory-type steel autoclave fitted with a stirrer are charged 0.48 g of the compound prepared as disclosed hereinabove, 500 ml of isoprene, 500 ml of isopentane, and 0.5 g of lithium metal.

The polymerization process is completed after 4 hours at a temperature of 60 C. The polymer is treated with ethyl alcohol and washed with dilute sulphuric acid and then with water. The solvent and water are distilled out under reduced pressure. The target product is dried at a temperature of 100 C and a residual pressure of 5-10 mm Hg.

The polymer thus obtained has the following characteristics:

molecular weight content of 1,4-units, 7c

EXAMPLE 2 molecular weight content of 1,4-units, 7:

EXAMPLE 3 In a laboratory-type steel autoclave fitted with a stirrer are placed 550 g of butadiene-l ,3, 0.5 g of lithium metal, and 615 g of the modifier prepared in accordance with the procedure of Example 1. The polymerization process is completed after 3 hours at a temperature of 60 C. The product is treated as disclosed in Example 1.

The target polymer has the following characteristics:

molecular weight content of 1,4-units,

EXAMPLE 4 In a laboratory-type steel autoclave fitted with a stirrer are placed 250 ml of isoprene, 500 ml of isopentane, 0.5 g of lithium metal, and 17.4 g of the modifier prepared in accordance with the procedure of Example 1.

The process of isoprene polymerization is carried out at a temperature of 60 C and, upon its end, to the autoclave there is added 135 g (2.5 moles) of butadiene-1,3, followed by heating the reaction mixture at 60 C. The polymerization process terminates within 2 hours, and the resultant copolymer is treated as disclosed in Example 1.

The copolymer thus prepared exhibits the following characteristics:

content of 1,4-units, 7c 90 intrinsic viscosity 0.25

EXAMPLE 5 In a laboratory-type steel autoclave fitted with a stirrer are placed 5.4 g of lithium metal, 89.2 g (0.45 mole) of triisobutylaluminum, 800 ml of isoprene, and 200 ml of isopentane. The reaction mixture is stirred, while maintaining the temperature at 60 C. After an induction period of 1 hour there commences polymerization, which terminates within 2 hours.

The resultant polymer is treated as disclosed in Example 1 The polymer thus prepared has the following characteristics:

molecular weight content of 1,4-units, 70

EXAMPLE 6 molecular weight 1,450 content of l,2-units, 74 content of 1,4-units, 7c 26 EXAMPLE 7 In a flask fitted with a reflux condenser are placed ml of isoprene, 21.4 g (0.1 mole) of Al(iC H (OiC,H and 0.7 g of lithium metal. The reaction mixture is refluxed for a period of 6 hours, and towards the end of the reaction the lithium metal undergoes complete dissolution. After the removal of excess isoprene by distillation, there is obtained a white, crystalline compound containing 2.61 weight percent Li and 10.48 weight percent Al.

In a laboratory-type steel autoclave fitted with a stirrer are placed 290 ml of isoprene, 0.5 g of lithium metal, and 20 g of the compound (modifier) prepared as disclosed hereinabove. The polymerization process is carried out at a temperature of 60 C and terminates within 1 hour. The resultant polymer is treated by following the procedure of Example 1.

The target polymer exhibits the following characteristics:

EXAMPLE 8 In a flask fitted with a reflux condenser and a stirrer is placed 400 ml of a solution containing 0.4 mole of Al(iC.,H in n-hexane, and to the vigorously stirred and cooled solution is added 100 ml of a solution of 0.4 mole diethylamine in nhexane. On reaction completion, to the contents of the flask there are added 3 g of lithium metal and 100 ml of isoprene, and the reaction mixture is maintained at a temperature of 60 C for 10 hours until the lithium metal undergoes complete dissolution.

The product isolated from the reaction mixture contains 2.7 weight percent Li and 10.58 weight percent A].

In a steel autoclave fitted with a stirrer are placed 250 ml of isoprene, 0.5 g of lithium metal and 17.3 g of the modifier prepared as disclosed hereinabove. The polymerization process is carried out at a temperature of 60 C and terminates within 30 min.

The resultant polymer is treated as disclosed in Example 1.

The polymer thus prepared has the following characteristics:

In an autoclave fitted with a stirrer are placed 0.5 g of lithium metal, 0.1 g of the modifier synthesized by following the procedure of Example l, 220 ml (2.62 moles) of butadiene- 1,3, 40 ml 0.35 mole of styrene, and 500 ml of toluene. The stirred reaction mixture is maintained at 40 C for a period of hours, and the reaction product is treated as disclosed in Ex ample l.

The polymer thus prepared has the following characteristics:

content of styrene units, of butadiene, 18.7 content of 1,4-addition units, 7: 85

intrinsic viscosity at 25 C. 5.6 glass-transition temperature, C. -90

EXAMPLE 10 In an autoclave fitted with a stirrer are placed 05 g of metallic lithium, 0.14 g of the modifier prepared by following the procedure of Example 1, 220 ml (2.62 moles) of butadiene-l,3, 40 ml (0.35 mole) of styrene, and 500 ml of toluene. The stirred mixture is maintained at a temperature of 40 C for a period of 5 hours, followed by treating the reaction product as disclosed in Example 1.

The polymer thus prepared has the following characteristics:

content of styrene units, 7: of butadience 22 content of 1,4-addition units, 7: 82 intrinsic viscosity 1.8

glass-transition temperature, C. 88

EXAMPLE 1 l lsoprene polymerization is carried out in accordance with the procedure and under the conditions disclosed in Example 1, except for the fact that hexane is used as the solvent in place of isopentane. The polymer thus prepared exhibits characteristics identical to those recited for the polymer of Example 1.

EXAMPLE 12 molecular weight 1,000 content of 1,4-adclition units, 80 viscosity at 25" C., poise 3.0 glass-transition temperature, C. 65

EXAMPLE 1 3 300 ml of isoprene, 1,000 ml of isopentane, and 0.1 mole of triisobutylaluminum are placed in a stirred laboratory-type autoclave containing the metallic lithium unconsumed after the polymerization described in Example 12 and washed with isopentane. The process is carried out by following the procedure of Example 12.

The polymer thus prepared has the following characteristics:

molecular weight 3,920 content of 1,4-addition units, 85 viscosity at 25 C., poise 31 glass-transition temperature, C. 67

EXAMPLE 14 300 ml of isoprene, 1,000 ml of isopentane and 0.4 mole of triisobutylaluminum are placed in a laboratory-type autoclave fitted with a stirrer and containing the metallic lithium unconsumed after the polymerization disclosed in Example 13 and washed with isopentane. The polymerization is carried out as disclosed in Example 12, and on polymerization termination into the autoclave is introduced 1,240 ml of butadiene-l,3. The polymerization of butadiene-l,3 at 60 C proceeds for a period of 1 hour. The polymerization product-containing solution is treated in accordance with the procedure of Example 12.

The copolymer thus prepared has the following characteristics:

molecular weight 4,800 content of 1,4-addition units, Z: viscosity at 25 C., poise 22 glass-transition temperature, C, 92

EXAMPLE 15 The polymer thus prepared has the following characteristics:

molecular weight 1,930 viscosity at 25 C, poise 15 content of 1,4-addition units, Z: 84

glass-transition temperature, C. 67

EXAMPLE 16 In a cascade polymerization system which consists of four 16-1. stainless steel reactors fitted with stirrers (lOO rpm.) having a circumferential velocity of l m/sec at the blade edge and also with filtering arrangements (screens in the reactor bottom), two reactors are charged with 500 g of metallic lithium each. Next, through the system of stirred reactors there is passed 175 l. of the reaction mixture consisting of 83.1 1. of gasoline, 8.8 l. ofa solution of Al(iC ,H and 83.1 1. of butadiene-l,3, the feed rate being 7 l/hr and the reaction temperature 60 C. Samples are taken at the exit side of the last reactor in order to determine monomer conversions. in the course of 20 hours the conversion remains practically constant and equals -85 percent. Then, the conversion drops sharply and equals 66 percent after 22 hours and 30 percent after 23 hours, so that the polymerization process is discontinued due to complete consumption of the metallic lithium charge.

The resultant polymer is washed with an aqueous solution of sulfuric acid in order to remove catalyst residues, followed by washing with water and drying at a temperature of 80l00 C.

The polymer thus prepared has the following characteristics:

molecular weight 5,100 viscosity at 25 C., poise 32 glass-transition temperature, C 88 EXAMPLE 1? The polymerization product obtained in accordance with the procedure of Example 2 is diluted with 1,000 mi of toluene and 15 ml of ethylene oxide is introduced into the autoclave while vigorously stirring and cooling the reaction mixture. Then reaction product is treated, washed and dried as disclosed in Example 1.

The polymer thus prepared has the following characteristics:

EXAMPLE I 8 The polymerization product obtained in accordance with the procedure of Example 3 is diluted with 800 ml of toluene and treated with 33 ml of propylene oxide. The reaction product is treated, washed and dried as disclosed in Example 1.

The polymer thus prepared has the following characteristics:

molecular weight 4,100 content of Oil-groups, 0.81 content of 1,4-addition units, 7: 82 viscosity at 25 C., poise 35 glass-transition temperature, C. 89

EXAMPLE 19 The polymerization product obtained in accordance with the procedure of Example 3 is diluted with 1,000 ml toluene and poured onto crushed solid carbon dioxide, while stirring continuously the reaction mixture. The reaction product is treated with percent hydrochloric acid and thereafter washed with water. After stripping off the solvent and water, the polymer is subjected to drying as disclosed in Example 1.

The polymer thus prepared has the following characte 'istics:

molecular weight 4,400 content of COOH-groups, 2.01 content of 1,4-addition units, 81 viscosity, poise 58 glass-transition temperature, C. 80

EXAMPLE 20 molecular weight 4,920 content of epoxy groups, 1.75 content of 1,4-addition units, 84 viscosity at 25 C., poise 32 glass-transition temperature, C. 84.5

EXAMPLE 21 In a laboratory-type steel autoclave fitted with a stirrer are placed 7.0 g of metallic lithium, 33 g of diisobutylaluminum hydride, 500 ml of isopentane, 100 g of p-vinyltoluene, and 670 ml of butadiene-1,3. The stirred reaction mixture is maintained at a temperature of 80 C, and after an induction period of 30 min. there commences the process of polymerization, which terminates within 1.5 hours. The autoclave is allowed to cool and thereafter the polymerization product is treated with 25 ml of propylene oxide.

The reaction product is next treated, washed and dried as disclosed in Example 1.

The polymer thus prepared has the following characteristics:

molecular weight 4,900 content of Ol-l-groups, 0.67 content of styrene units, of butadiene, 20

content of 1,4-addition units, 83 viscosity at 25 C., poise 218 glass-transition temperature, C. 84

The present method makes it possible to synthesize polymers containing various terminal functional groups which may be used for the production of linear, branched or crosslinked high-molecular compounds noted for their outstanding physical and mechanical properties, e.g. high freeze resistance. For example, from polydienediols, prepared according to the present method and containing 0.6-1.2 percent of terminal Ol-l-groups, it is possible to synthesize different urethane polymers to be used as components of various formulations. The properties of cured urethane compositions are listed in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Thermoplastic Cured poly- Cured polydienediene Dolydieneurethane ureurethane diac- Property thanes Polymers l epoxides 1 rylates 3 Tensile strength,

kg./cm. -300 20-130 30-200 60-220 Ultimate elongation, 400- 400-70 100-30 200-30 percent. Glass MMM-tran- 75 From 75 From 76 From 60 sitgon temperature, to 65 to 65 to 40 Moisture absorption 0.6 0.3 0.4 0.2

after 24 hours at; 20 0., percent by weight. Dii eletctric power 0.012 0.005-0.02 0.010.03 0.007-0.01

ac or Dielectric permea- 2.7 2.8-3.5 2.5-4.5 2.7-3.1

bility. Volume resistivity, 1X10 1X10 1X10 1X10 ohm-cm. 1X10 1 Containing trisoeyanurate rings in the chain (elastic plastics). Z Containing 14% of epoxy groups.

3 Containing 25-33% of acrylate groups.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment thereof, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

We claim:

1. A method for homopolymerizing conjugated diene hydrocarbons or copolymerizing different conjugated diene hydrocarbons with one another or with styrene-type monomers to obtain polymers or copolymers having a predetermined molecular weight, said method comprising carrying out the process of homopolymerization or copolymerization at a temperature in the range of from 30 to +1 50 C in the presence of an alkali metal catalyst and a modifier prepared by reacting an alkali metal with a conjugated diene hydrocarbon and an organoaluminum compound, the alkali metal-to-aluminum molar ratio in said modifier equal to 1:1

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein lithium is the catalyst.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein sodium is the catalyst.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the organoaluminum compound is selected from the group consisting of compounds of the formulas AlR AlR OR, AlR l-l, AlR,Hal and AlR NR wherein R is an alkyl or aryl having from one to 10 carbon atoms and Hal is a halogen atom.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein polymerization is carried out in the presence of any amount of alkali metal catalyst, with the proviso that the total amount of alkali metal contained in the modifier and used as the polymerization catalyst exceeds one mole per mole of the organoaluminum compound, and wherein the organoaluminum compound has the formulas AlR AlR OR or AlR NR wherein R is an alkyl or aryl group of l to 10 carbon atoms.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein polymerization is carried out in the presence of any amount of alkali metal catalyst, with the proviso that the total amount of alkali metal contained in the modifier and used as the polymerization catalyst exceeds two moles per mole of the organoaluminum compound, and wherein the organoaluminum compound has the formulas AlR Hal or AlR H wherein R is an alkyl or aryl group of one to 10 carbon atoms.

7. A method according to claim I, wherein the modifier is obtained in situ from a diene hydrocarbon, an alkali metal and an organoaluminum compound in the reaction medium which contains said components in amounts which are adequate for the preparation of a polymer.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein in order to prepare a polymer having a, w-functional groups, the reaction mixture is treated, after completion of the polymerization with reagents which provide the desired functional groups into the thus obtained polymer.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein the reagents which provide functional groups are selected from the group consisting of olefin oxides, carbon dioxide, and epichlorohydrin.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein polymerization is carried out at a temperature in the range of from 0 to C i 11. A method according to claim l, wherein the molecular weight of the polymers to be synthesized is calculated from the equation wherein:

M denotes the predetermined molecular weight of the target polymer;

m is the number of moles of monomer;

r is the number of Al moles in the modifier;

M designates the molecular weight of the monomer, and

a=2, provided the organoaluminum compound used for preparation of the modifier is represented by the formula AlR or when the polymers or copolymers to be synthesized have a molecular weight of not greater than 1 0,000. 

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein lithium is the catalyst.
 3. A method according to claim 1, wherein sodium is the catalyst.
 4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the organoaluminum compound is selected from the group consisting of compounds of the formulas AlR3, AlR2OR, AlR2H, AlR2Hal and AlR2NR2, wherein R is an alkyl or aryl having from one to 10 carbon atoms and Hal is a halogen atom.
 5. A method according to claim 1, wherein polymerization is carried out in the presence of any amount of alkali metal catalyst, with the proviso that the total amount of alkali metal contained in the modifier and used as the polymerization catalyst exceeds one mole per mole of the organoaluminum compound, and wherein the organoaluminum compound has the formulas AlR3, AlR2OR or AlR2NR2 wherein R is an alkyl oR aryl group of 1 to 10 carbon atoms.
 6. A method according to claim 1, wherein polymerization is carried out in the presence of any amount of alkali metal catalyst, with the proviso that the total amount of alkali metal contained in the modifier and used as the polymerization catalyst exceeds two moles per mole of the organoaluminum compound, and wherein the organoaluminum compound has the formulas AlR2Hal or AlR2H wherein R is an alkyl or aryl group of one to 10 carbon atoms.
 7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the modifier is obtained in situ from a diene hydrocarbon, an alkali metal and an organoaluminum compound in the reaction medium which contains said components in amounts which are adequate for the preparation of a polymer.
 8. A method according to claim 1, wherein in order to prepare a polymer having Alpha , omega -functional groups, the reaction mixture is treated, after completion of the polymerization with reagents which provide the desired functional groups into the thus obtained polymer.
 9. A method according to claim 8, wherein the reagents which provide functional groups are selected from the group consisting of olefin oxides, carbon dioxide, and epichlorohydrin.
 10. A method according to claim 1, wherein polymerization is carried out at a temperature in the range of from 0* to 80* C.
 11. A method according to claim 1, wherein the molecular weight of the polymers to be synthesized is calculated from the equation M (a . mo)/(ro) . Mo wherein: M denotes the predetermined molecular weight of the target polymer; mo is the number of moles of monomer; ro is the number of Al moles in the modifier; Mo designates the molecular weight of the monomer, and a 2, provided the organoaluminum compound used for preparation of the modifier is represented by the formula AlR3, or when the polymers or copolymers to be synthesized have a molecular weight of not greater than 10,000. 